Abstract

LODEIRO OCAMPO, Nicolas; GANTCHOFF, Mariela G; NIGRO, Norberto A  and  PALAIA, Julián Y. Jaguar (Panthera onca) in the yungas of Baritú National Park, Argentina: minimum density, daily activity, and potential prey. Mastozool. neotrop. [online]. 2019, vol.26, n.2, pp.390-398. ISSN 0327-9383.

The jaguar (Panthera onca) is the largest wild cat in the Americas. In Argentina, populations have decreased significantly and it is considered Critically Endangered.We performed the first systematic survey of the presence and activity of the jaguar within Baritú National Park, in the Yungas ecoregion. Twenty-eight independent stations were established with two camera traps each, with an average distance of 2-3 km among them. Samplings were carried out from August to November in 2014 and in 2015, and from August and September in 2016 and in 2017. A total of 98 records were obtained (43 in 2014, 18 in 2015, 19 in 2016, and 18 in 2017) of at least 9 individuals in 5153 camera days, resulting in 19 detections every 1000 camera days. Noteworthy was the lack of confirmed females or juveniles detected. The average minimum annual density (individuals/area) was 0.95/100 km2, and the combined minimum density (all surveys) was 1.15/100 km2. The jaguar’s activity was mostly crepuscular (7:00-9:00 h and 18:00-19:00 h) with some individual variation but consistent with what is reported for this species. The most abundant preyspecies were the tapir (Tapirus terrestris) and two species of brocket deer (Mazama sp.). The density of jaguars in this national park is potentially one of the highest in Argentina. Extending these studies is necessary to increase information regarding the situation of this and other species in this area of great conservation relevance in Argentina.

Keywords : Argentina; camera traps; carnivores; population density; protected areas.